This is an illustration of the Italian explorer, Marco Polo, who claimed to have traveled to China and back from Italy. While some historians have doubts about the veracity of his claim to have visited the Middle Kingdom, the record he left behind includes many accurate observations. If Polo didn’t travel to China, he must have heard many stories from travelers who did visit Asia. This image shows him alongside a map showing the route he claimed to have taken to reach China and return to Europe in the thirteenth century.